Diacetylenic materials for sensing applications

ABSTRACT

Diacetylenic materials for the colorimetric detection of an analyte or exposure to certain environmental factors are disclosed as well as the polymerization reaction products of these diacetylenic compounds.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to diacetylenic materials for the colorimetric detection of an analyte or exposure to certain environmental factors. In addition, the invention relates to The polymerization reaction products of at least one of the diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various circumstances require that exposure to certain environmental factors, such as heat and ultraviolet (UV) light be monitored and recorded. For example, the need to know whether a product has been exposed either to an undesirable time-temperature history, which results in substantial degradation, or to a correct time-temperature history required during processing is frequently required. This applies, for example, to frozen foods, pharmaceuticals or photographic films that may be exposed to undesirable high temperatures for significant time periods during storage and distribution. Additionally, exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight can cause rapid aging and hardening of the skin and can cause DNA damage, which can lead to skin cancer or other cellular proliferative diseases.

Diacetylenes are typically colorless and undergo addition polymerization, either thermally or by actinic radiation. As the polymerization proceeds, these compounds undergo a contrasting color change to blue or purple. Utilization of this class of compounds is known for use as time-temperature history indicators, thermochromic indicating materials and as radiation-dosage indicators.

Efforts continue, however, to make sensing devices employing diacetylenes more accurate, more tailored to a given application, less complex and more available to non-technical personnel in a wide variety of environments. Devices, which can be conveniently transported and used individually for a particular application then discarded, are particularly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula

-   -   where R¹ is     -   R² is

R³, R⁸, R¹³, R²⁴, R³¹ and R³³ are independently alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R¹⁴, R¹⁶, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²², R²⁵, and R³² are independently alkylene; R⁶, R¹⁵, R¹⁸, and R²⁶ are independently alkylene, alkenylene, or arylene; R⁹ is alkylene or —NR³⁴—; R¹⁰, R¹², R²⁷, and R²⁹ are independently alkylene or alkylene-arylene; R¹¹ and R²⁸ are independently alkynyl; R¹⁷ is 2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl; R²¹ is alkylamino or alkyl; R²³ is arylene; R³⁰ is alkylene or —NR³⁶—; R³⁴, and R³⁶ are independently H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; p is 1-5; and n is 1-20; and where R¹ and R² are not the same.

Also provided is a method for the detection of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising contacting at least one compound described above with electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum and observing a color change.

Also provided is a polymerized composition including the polymerization reaction product of at least one compound described above.

Also provided is a method for the detection of thermal radiation including contacting a polymerized composition described above with thermal radiation and observing a color change.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The detailed description that follows more particularly exemplifies these embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides for diacetylenic materials. In particular, the present invention is directed to diacetylenic materials for the colorimetric detection of an analyte or exposure to certain environmental factors. While the present invention is not so limited, an appreciation of various aspects of the invention will be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about.”

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to a straight or branched chain or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. Alkyl groups include those with one to twenty carbon atoms. Examples of “alkyl” as used herein include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, isobutyl, and isopropyl, and the like. It is to be understood that where cyclic moieties are intended, at least three carbons in said alkyl must be present. Such cyclic moieties include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

As used herein, the term “alkylene” refers to a straight or branched chain or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. Alkylene groups include those with one to fourteen carbon atoms. Examples of “alkylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene and the like. It is to be understood that where cyclic moieties are intended, at least three carbons in said alkylene must be present. Such cyclic moieties include cyclopropylene, cyclobutylene, cyclopentylene, cyclohexylene and cycloheptylene.

As used herein, the term “alkenylene” refers to a straight or branched chain or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms and one or more carbon—carbon double bonds. Alkenylene groups include those with two to eight carbon atoms. Examples of “alkenylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “arylene” refers to divalent unsaturated aromatic carboxylic radicals having a single ring, such as phenylene, or multiple condensed rings, such as naphthylene or anthrylene. Arylene groups include those with six to thirteen carbon atoms. Examples of “arylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, benzene-1,2-diyl, benzene-1,3-diyl, benzene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-1,8-diyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “alkylene-arylene”, refers to an alkylene moiety as defined above bonded to an arylene moiety as defined above. Examples of “alkylene-arylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, —CH₂—phenylene, —CH₂CH₂—phenylene, and —CH₂CH₂CH₂—phenylene.

As used herein, the term “alkynyl” refers to a straight or branched chain or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon radical having from two to thirty carbons and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Examples of “alkynyl” as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, propynyl and butynyl.

As used herein, the term “alkylamino” means alkyl group defined as above bonded to a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group, or salts thereof. Examples of “alkylamino” as used herein include, but are not limited to, —(CH₂)₁₋₁₅—NH₃, and —(CH₂)₁₋₁₅—N(CH₃)₃.

The present invention provides compounds of the formula

-   -   where R¹ is

R² is

R³, R⁸, R¹³, R²⁴, R³¹ and R³³ are independently alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R¹⁴, R¹⁶, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²², R²⁵, and R³² are independently alkylene; R⁶, R¹⁵, R¹⁸, and R²⁶ are independently alkylene, alkenylene, or arylene; R⁹ is alkylene or —NR³⁴—; R¹⁰, R¹², R²⁷, and R²⁹ are independently alkylene or alkylene-arylene; R¹¹ and R²⁸ are independently alkynyl; R¹⁷ is 2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl; R²¹ is alkylamino or alkyl; R²³ is arylene; R³⁰ is alkylene or —NR³⁶—; R³⁴, and R³⁶ are independently H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; p is 1-5; and n is 1-20; and where R¹ and R² are not the same.

Examples of R¹ when R¹ is alkyl include C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₆-C₁₈ alkyl, and C₁₂-C₁₆ alkyl. Additional examples of R¹ when R¹ is alkyl include dodecyl and hexadecyl.

Examples of R² when R² is alkylamino include C₁-C₂₀ alkylamino, C₆-C₁₈ alkylamino, and C₁₁-C₁₆ alkylamino. Additional examples of R² when R² is alkylamino include (C₁-C₁₈ alkyl)—NR³⁵ ₃X, where R³⁵ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl, such as methyl, for example, and X is a suitable counterion, such as F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, N₃ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, or CN⁻, for example. Further examples of R² when R² is alkylamino include —(CH₂)₁₁—NH₃X, where X is defined as above, —(CH₂)₁₁—N(CH₃)₃X, where X is defined above, —(CH₂)₁₅—N(CH₃)₃X, where X is defined above, and —(CH₂)₁₅—NH₃X, where X is defined above.

Examples of R³ include C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, and C₆-C₁₈ alkyl. Additional examples of R³ include undecyl and pentadecyl.

Examples of R⁴ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₄ alkylene. Additional examples of R⁴ include methylene (—CH₂—), trimethylene, (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R⁵ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₃ alkylene. Additional examples of R⁵ include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), and trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R⁶ when R⁶ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₃ alkylene. Additional examples of R⁶ when R⁶ is alkylene include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), and trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—). Examples of R⁶ when R⁶ is alkenylene include C₂-C₈ alkenylene, and C₂-C₄ alkenylene. An additional example of R⁶ when R⁶ is alkenylene includes ethenylene (—C═C—). Examples of R⁶ when R⁶ is arylene include C₆-C₁₃ arylene, and phenylene. An additional example of R⁶ when R⁶ is arylene is benzene-1,2-diyl.

Examples of R⁷ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₂-C₉ alkylene. Additional examples of R⁷ include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), pentamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), hexamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂CH₂—), heptamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), octamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and nonamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R⁸ include C₁-C₁₆ alkyl, and C₁-C₈ alkyl. Additional examples of R₈ include butyl, pentyl and hexyl.

R⁹ is independently alkylene or —NR³⁴—, where R³⁴ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl;

Examples of R⁹ when R⁹ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₃ alkylene, such as methylene (—CH₂—) for example. Examples of R⁹ when R⁹ is —NR³⁴—include —NH—, —N(CH₂CH₃)—, and —N(CH₃)—.

Examples of R¹⁰ when R¹⁰ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₈ alkylene. Additional examples of R¹⁰ when R¹⁰ is alkylene include methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), —C(CH₃)₂—, and —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—. Examples of R¹⁰ when R¹⁰ is alkylene-arylene include (C_(1-C) ₁₄ alkylene)—arylene, and (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)—phenylene. An additional example of R¹⁰ when R¹⁰ is alkylene-arylene includes —CH₂-phenylene.

Examples of R¹¹ include C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl, and C₂₀-C₂₅ alkynyl. Additional examples of R¹¹ include C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds (—C≡C—), and C₂₀-C₂₅ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds. Further examples of R¹¹ include C₂₂ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds, C₂₄ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds. Yet further examples of R¹¹ include —(CH₂)₈—C≡C—C≡C—(CH₂)₉CH₃, and —(CH₂)₈—C≡C—C≡C—(CH₂)₁₁CH₃.

Examples of R¹² when R¹² is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₈ alkylene. Additional examples of R¹² when R¹² is alkylene include methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), —C(CH₃)₂—, and —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—. Examples of R¹² when R¹² is alkylene-arylene include (C₁-C₄ alkylene)—arylene, and (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)—phenylene. An additional example of R¹² when R¹² is alkylene-arylene includes —CH₂—phenylene.

Examples of R¹³ include C₁-C₄ alkyl, such as methyl for example.

Examples of R¹⁴ include C₁-C₄ alkylene, such as ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—) for example.

Examples of R¹⁵ when R¹⁵ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₃ alkylene. Additional examples of R¹⁵ when R¹⁵ is alkylene include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), and trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—). Examples of R¹⁵ when R¹⁵ is alkenylene include C₂-C₈ alkenylene, and C₂-C₄ alkenylene. An additional example of R¹⁵ when R¹⁵ is alkenylene includes ethenylene (—C═C—). Examples of R¹⁵ when R¹⁵ is arylene include C₆—C₁₃ arylene, and phenylene. An additional example of R¹⁵ when R¹⁵ is arylene is benzene-1,4-diyl.

Examples of R¹⁶ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₂-C₉ alkylene. Additional examples of R¹⁶ include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), pentamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), hexamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂CH₂—), heptamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), octamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and nonamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—.)

Examples of R¹⁷ include groups that activate the neighboring ester group toward acyl transfer. Such ester activating groups include pentafluorophenol, pentachlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 3-nitrophenol, N-hydroxysuccinimide, N-hydroxyphthalimide and those disclosed in M. Bodanszky, “Principles of Peptide Synthesis,” (Springer-Verlag, 1984), for example. An additional example of R¹⁷ is 2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl.

Examples of R¹⁸ when R¹⁸ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₃ alkylene. Additional examples of R¹⁸ when R¹⁸ is alkylene include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), and trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—). Examples of R¹⁸ when R¹⁸ is alkenylene include C₂-C₈ alkenylene, and C₂-C₄ alkenylene. An additional example of R¹⁸ when R¹⁸ is alkenylene includes ethenylene (—C=C—). Examples of R¹⁸ when R¹⁸ is arylene include C₆-C₁₃ arylene, and phenylene. An additional example of R¹⁸ when R¹⁸ is arylene is benzene-1,2-diyl.

Examples of R¹⁹ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₂-C₉ alkylene. Additional examples of R¹⁹ include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), pentamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), hexamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂CH₂—), heptamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), octamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and nonamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R²⁰ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, C₁-C₉ alkylene, and C₁-C₄ alkylene. Additional examples of R²⁰ include methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), pentamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), hexamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂CH₂—), heptamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), octamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and nonamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R²¹ when R²¹ is alkylamino include C₁-C₂₀ alkylamino, C₆-C₁₈ alkylamino, and C₁₁-C₁₆ alkylamino. Additional examples of R²¹ when R²¹ is alkylamino include (C₁-C₁₈ alkyl)—NR³⁵ ₃X, where R³⁵ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl, such as methyl, for example, and X is a suitable counterion, such as F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, N₃ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, and CN⁻, for example. Further examples of R²¹ when R²¹ is alkylamino include —(CH₂)₁₀—NH₃X, where X is defined as above, —(CH₂)₁₀—N(CH₃)₃X, where X is defined above, —(CH₂)₁₄—N(CH₃)₃X, where X is defined above, and —(CH₂)₁₄—NH₃X, where X is defined above. Examples of R²¹ when R²¹ is alkyl include C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₆-C₁₈ alkyl, and C₁₀-C₁₇ alkyl. Additional examples of R²¹ when R²¹ is alkyl include decyl, undecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, heptadecyl.

Examples of R²² include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₂-C₉ alkylene. Additional examples of R²² include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and tetramethylene.

Examples of R²³ include C₆-C₁₃ arylene, and phenylene. An additional example of R²³ when R²³ is arylene is benzene-1,4-diyl.

Examples of R²⁴ include C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, and C₆-C₁₈ alkyl. Additional examples of R²⁴ include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and dodecyl.

Examples of R²⁵ include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₂-C₉ alkylene. Additional examples of R²⁵ include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), pentamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), hexamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂CH₂—), heptamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), octamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and nonamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R²⁶ when R²⁶ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₃ alkylene. Additional examples of R²⁶ when R²⁶ is alkylene include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), and trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—). Examples of R²⁶ when R²⁶ is alkenylene include C₂-C₈ alkenylene, and C₂-C₄ alkenylene. An additional example of R²⁶ when R²⁶ is alkenylene includes ethenylene (—C=C—). Examples of R²⁶ when R²⁶ is arylene include C₆-C₁₃ arylene, and phenylene. An additional example of R²⁶ when R²⁶ is arylene is benzene-1,2-diyl.

Examples of R²⁷ when R²⁷ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₈ alkylene. Additional examples of R²⁷ when R²⁷ is alkylene include methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), —C(CH₃)₂—, and —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—. Examples of R²⁷ when R²⁷ is alkylene-arylene include (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)—arylene, and (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)—phenylene. An additional example of R²⁷ when R²⁷ is alkylene-arylene includes —CH₂—phenylene.

Examples of R²⁸ include C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl, and C₂₀-C₂₅ alkynyl. Additional examples of R²⁸ include C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds (—C≡C—), and C₂₀-C₂₅ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds. Further examples of R²⁸ include C₂₂ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds, C₂₄ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds. Yet further examples of R²⁸ include —(CH₂)₈—C≡C—C≡C—(CH₂)₉CH₃, and —(CH₂)₈—C≡C—C≡C—(CH₂)₁₁CH₃.

Examples of R²⁹ when R²⁹ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁-C₈ alkylene. Additional examples of R²⁹ when R²⁹ is alkylenc include methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), —C(CH₃)₂—, and —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—. Examples of R²⁹ when R²⁹ is alkylene-arylene include (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)—arylene, and (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)—phenylene. An additional example of R²⁹ when R²⁹ is alkylene-arylene includes —CH₂—phenylene.

R³⁰ is independently alkylene or —NR³⁶ —, where R³⁶ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl;

Examples of R³⁰ when R³⁰ is alkylene include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₁ -C₃ alkylene, such as methylene (—CH₂—) for example. Examples of R³⁰ when R³⁰ is —NR³⁶-include —NH, —N(CH₂CH₃)—, and —N(CH₃)—.

Examples of R³¹ include C₁-C₁₆ alkyl, and C₁-C₈ alkyl. Additional examples of R³¹ include butyl, pentyl and hexyl.

Examples of R³² include C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, and C₂-C₉ alkylene. Additional examples of R³² include ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), trimethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂—), tetramethylene (—CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂—), pentamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and hexamethylene (—CH₂CH₂CH₂ CH₂CH₂CH₂—).

Examples of R³³ include C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₆-C₈ alkyl, and C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl. Additional examples of R³³ include dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl.

Compounds of the present invention also include those where p can be 1 or 2 and n can be 1-20,3-17,6-14, or 9-11.

The invention is inclusive of the compounds described herein including isomers, such as structural isomers and geometric isomers, salts, solvates, polymorphs and the like.

The synthesis of the diacetylenic materials disclosed herein are adapted form published procedures such as those in Xu, Z.; Byun, H.S.; Bittman, R.; J. Org. Chem., 1991, 56, 7183-7186. For example, the diacetylenes the formula I can be prepared as shown in Scheme 1 where n is typically 1 to 14. Compounds of the formula I can be prepared from compounds of the formula II via anion exchange with an anion exchange resin, such as “Dowex” anion exchange resin (available from Aldrich Chemical, Milwaukee, Wis.) for example, and a suitable eluent, such as aqueous sodium chloride for example.

Compounds of formula II can be prepared from compounds of formula III by reaction with an appropriate alkylating agent in a suitable solvent. Suitable methylating agents include methyl iodide for example and suitable solvents include acetonitrile. The aforesaid reaction is run for a period of time from 1 hour to 96 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from 20° C. to 70° C., generally from 20° C. to 50° C., in the presence of a base such as sodium carbonate for example.

Compounds of formula III can be prepared from compounds of formula IV by reaction with an appropriate reducing agent in a suitable solvent followed by protonation via a suitable acid to afford the salt. Suitable reducing agents include lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, and triphenylphosphine, for example. Suitable solvents include ether, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, and mixtures of these solvents with water, for example. Suitable acids include mineral acids such as HCl for example. The aforesaid reaction is run for a period of time from 1 hour to 96 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 10° C. to 25° C.

Compounds of formula IV can be prepared from compounds of formula VI via compounds of formula V. A compound of formula VI is reacted with a reagent suitable for the desilylation of a protected hydroxyl group in the presence of a suitable solvent. Such deprotecting reagents include tetrabutylammonium fluoride and those described in Greene and Wuts, “Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis,” (John Wiley & Son Press, 2nd Ed), for example. Suitable solvents include ether, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 5 hours, generally 1 hour, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 10° C. to 25° C. The unpurified deprotected alcohol V is then reacted with a sulfonyl halide in the presence of a solvent. Suitable sulfonyl halides include methanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 5 hours, generally 2 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 10° C. to 25° C., in the presence of a base such as trialkylamine or pyridine base. The resulting unpurified sulfonyl derivative is then reacted with sodium azide in a suitable solvent such as DMF. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 48 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from 20° C. to 100° C., generally from 70° C. to 90° C., in the presence of a base such as trialkylamine or pyridine base.

Compounds of formula VI can be prepared from compounds of formula VII by reaction with a suitable alkyl halide or alkyl tosylate in a suitable solvent. Useful haloalkanes include primary alkyl halides such as 1-bromooctane, 1-bromododecane or 1-bromohexadecane. Suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 48 hours, generally 1 hour, at a temperature from −78° C. to 40° C., generally from −78° C. to −50° C., in the presence of a base such as an alkyl lithium base for example.

Compounds of formula VII can be prepared from compounds of formula VIII by reaction with a base such as an alkyl lithium base in a suitable solvent. Suitable alkyl lithium bases include methyl lithium. Suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and ether, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 48 hours, generally 1 hour, at a temperature from −78° C. to 40° C., generally from −78° C. to −50° C. The resulting reaction mixture is then added to a solution of a suitable silyl protected hydroxy alkyl halide, such as those of formula IX for example, in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 48 hours, generally 1 hour, at a temperature from −78° C. to 40° C., generally from −20° C. to 0° C. The resulting compound was then reacted with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 48 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from −78° C. to 40° C., generally from 0° C. to 25° C.

Silyl protected hydroxy alkyl halides, such as those of formula IX can be purchased commercially or prepared by reacting a suitable haloalcohol, such as those of formula X for example, with TBDMSCI in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 0.5 hours to 48 hours, generally 1 hour, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 10° C. to 25° C., in the presence of a base such as imidazole for example.

Diacetylenes of the Formula XVII can be prepared as outlined in Scheme 2 where n is typically 10 to 14, m is typically 1 to 4, and p is typically 10-14.

Compounds of formula XVII can be prepared from compounds of formula XVI by reaction with an appropriate reducing agent in a suitable solvent followed by protonation via a suitable acid to afford the salt. Suitable reducing agents include lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, and triphenylphosphine, for example. Suitable solvents include ether, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, and mixtures of these solvents with water, for example. Suitable acids include mineral acids such as HCl for example. The aforesaid reaction is run for a period of time from 1 hour to 96 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 10° C. to 25° C.

Compounds of formula XVI can be prepared from compounds of formula XV by reaction with a compound of formula XIII and a suitable acid chloride in the presence of a suitable solvent. Suitable compounds of formula XIII include any azido functionalized acid chloride that affords the desired product such as 11-azidoundecanoyl chloride for example. Suitable acid chlorides include any acid chloride that affords the desired product such as 1-undecanoyl chloride and 1-pentadecanoyl chloride for example. Suitable solvents include ether, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 24 hours, generally 3 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 0° C. to 25° C., in the presence of a base such as trialkylamine or pyridine base.

Compounds of formula XV can be prepared via oxidative coupling of compounds of formula XIV by reaction with copper(I) chloride in the presence of a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include alcohols such as methyl alcohol for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 24 hour to 72 hours, generally 48 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 0° C. to 25° C., in the presence of oxygen and a base such as pyridine.

Compounds of formula XIII can be prepared from compounds of formula XI via compounds of the formula XII as outlined in the Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 1999, 146-154. For example commercially available halogen derivatized carboxylic acids of the formula XI are reacted with sodium azide in the presence of a suitable solvent such as DMF. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 48 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from 20° C. to 100° C., generally from 70° C. to 90° C. The unpurified azido derivatized carboxylic acid is then reacted with oxalyl chloride in the presence of a suitable solvent such as benzene for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 48 hours, generally 20 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 50° C., generally from 0° C. to 25° C.

Diacetylenes of the Formula XXIII can be prepared as outlined in Scheme 3 where n is typically 1 to 4 and m is typically 10 to 14.

Compounds of formula XXIII can be prepared via oxidation from compounds of formula XXII by reaction with a suitable oxidizing agent in a suitable solvent such as DMF for example. Suitable oxidizing agents include Jones reagent and pyridinium dichromate for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 48 hours, generally 8 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 0° C. to 25° C.

Compounds of formula XXII can be prepared from compounds of formula XXI by reaction with a suitable acid chloride. Suitable acid chlorides include any acid chloride that affords the desired product such as lauroyl chloride, 1-dodecanoyl chloride, 1-tetradecanoyl chloride, 1-hexadecanoyl chloride, and 1-octadecanoyl chloride for example. Suitable solvents include ether, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and chloroform, for example. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 24 hours, generally 3 hours, at a temperature from 0° C. to 40° C., generally from 0° C. to 25° C., in the presence of a base such as trialkylamine or pyridine base.

Compounds of formula XXI are either commercially available (e.g. where n is 1-4) or can be prepared from compounds of the formula XVIII via compounds XIX and XX as outlined in Scheme 3 and disclosed in Abrams, Suzanne R.; Shaw, Angela C.. “Triple-bond isomerizations: 2- to 9-decyn-1-ol,” Org. Synth. (1988), 66 127-31 and Brandsma, L. “Preparative Acetylenic Chemistry,” (Elsevier Pub. Co: New York, 1971), for example.

Diacetylenic compounds as disclosed herein can also be prepared by reacting compounds of formula XXII with an anhydride such as succinic, glutaric, or phthalic anhydride in the presence of a suitable solvents such as toluene. The aforesaid reaction is typically run for a period of time from 1 hour to 24 hours, generally 15 hours, at a temperature from 50° C. to 125° C., generally from 100° C. to 125° C.

The diacetylenic compounds as disclosed herein self assemble in solution to form ordered assemblies that can be polymerized using any actinic radiation such as, for example, electromagnetic radiation in the UV or visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Polymerization of the diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein result in polymerization reaction products that have a color in the visible spectrum less than 570 nm, between 570 nm and 600 nm, or greater than 600 nm depending on their conformation and exposure to external factors. Typically, polymerization of the diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein result in meta-stable blue phase polymer networks that include a polydiacetylene backbone. These meta-stable blue phase polymer networks undergo a color change from bluish to reddish-orange upon exposure to external factors such as heat, a change in solvent or counterion, if available, or physical stress for example. Polymerization products of some of the diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein can exhibit a reversible color change and/or a three state color change. For example, after polymerization the resulting blue-phasc polymer network can change color to a reddish-orange state upon exposure to heat, a change in solvent or counterion, or physical stress. This reddish-orange polymer network can then change color to a yellowish-orangc state upon further exposure to heat, a change in solvent or counterion, or physical stress. Additionally, polymer networks disclosed herein can cycle between these reddish-orange and yellowish-orange states in a reversible manner.

The ability of the diacetylenic compounds and their polymerization products disclosed herein to undergo a visible color change upon exposure to a variety of elements, including ultraviolet light, physical stress, a change in solvent and a change in counter ion, for example, make them ideal candidates for the preparation of various sensing devices. Such sensing devices can employ the diacetylenic compounds and their polymerization products disclosed herein in solution or in their solid state. For example, the diacetylenic compounds and their polymerization products disclosed herein can be used as ultraviolet light dosimeters to measure exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein respond to UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C light in a manner similar to the human skin, thereby closely matching the erythemal response. Thus, such dosimeters could serve as a warning to a user against excessive solar UV exposure.

The structural requirements of diacetylenic molecule for a given sensing application are typically application specific. Features such as overall chain length, solubility, polarity, crystallinity, and the presence of functional groups for further molecular modification all cooperatively determine a diacetylenic molecule's ability to serve as a useful sensing material.

The diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein possess the capabilities described above and can be easily and efficiently polymerized into networks that undergo the desired color changes in response to heat, a change in solvent or counterion, if available, or physical stress. The diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein require mild conditions for the ordering of the compounds in solution. With respect to diacetylenic compounds of the present invention that include an ammonium moiety the use of high temperatures and high intensity probe sonication is not required. Additionally, the diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein allow for the incorporation of large excesses of unpolymerizable monomer while still forming a stable, polymerizable solution. The diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein can be synthesized in a rapid high-yielding fashion, including high-throughput methods of synthesis. The presence of functionality in the backbones of the diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein, such as heteroatoms for example, provides for the possibility of easy structural elaboration in order to meet the requirements of a given sensing application. The diacetylenic compounds disclosed herein can be polymerized into the desired polydiacetylene backbone containing network by adding the diacetylene to a suitable solvent, such as water for example, heating or sonicating the mixture, and then irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light, typically at a wavelength of 254 nm. Upon polymerization the solution undergoes a color change to bluish-purple.

EXAMPLES

The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described below, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the instant specification. All parts, percentages, ratios, etc. in the examples and the rest of the specification are by weight unless indicated otherwise. All solvents and reagents without a named supplier were purchased from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, Wis. Water was purified by the use of a UV Milli-Q water purifier with a resistivity of 18.2 Mohms/cm (Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.).

Table of Abbreviations Abbreviation or Trade Name Description 11-Bromo-1-undecanol Br(CH₂)₁₁OH Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI 11-Bromoundecanoic acid Br(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OH Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI TBDMSCl Tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI Diyne-1 Bis(trimethylsilyl)butadiyne commercially available from Gelest; Tullytown, PA THF Tetrahydrofuran 1-Bromododecane Br(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI TBAF Tetrabutylammonium fluoride Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI HMPA Hexamethylphosphoramide Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI 1-Bromohexadecane Br(CH₂)₁₅CH₃ Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI Methanesulfonyl chloride Commercially available from Aldrich Chemical; Milwaukee, WI CH₂Cl₂ Dichloromethane DMF Dimethylformamide oxalyl chloride ClCOCOCl commercially available from Aldrich Chemical, Milwaukee, WI PDC Pyridinium dichromate, commercially available from Aldrich Chemical, Milwaukee, WI DMAP 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, commercially available from Aldrich Chemical, Milwaukee, WI KAPA Potassium 3-aminopropylamide prepared according to Abrams, S. R.; Shaw, A. C. Organic Syntheses, 1988, 66, 127-131.

Example 1

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NR₃X

Step 1: Preparation of Br(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃))

In a glass reaction vessel, a solution of 3.0 grams (12 mmol) 11-Bromo-1-undecanol in 40 milliliters CH₂Cl₂ was prepared and to this was added 2.7 grams (18 mmol) TBDMSCl and 1.2 grams (18 mmol) imidazole. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h, and the reaction was worked up using dichloromethane and brine. The dichloromethane layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated to yield 4.5 grams of Br(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃)).

Step 2: Preparation of HC≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃))

In a glass reaction vessel, 710 milligrams (3.6 mmol) Diyne-1 was dissolved in 15 milliliters THF and cooled to −78° C. To this stirred solution was added 1 equivalent of methyl lithium (as complex with lithium bromide, 1.5 molar solution in Et₂O). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and added via cannula to a −15° C. solution of 1.47 grams (4.0 mmol) Br(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃)) in 8 milliliters HMPA and 16 milliliters THF. The resulting mixture was worked up using pentane and brine. The pentane layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated. To the resulting solid was added 3.6 milliliters TBAF (1 molar solution in THF) dissolved in 35 milliliters THF and 1 milliliters water. The solution was filtered and concentrated under vacuum to provide a crude solid. This material was purified using column chromatography eluting with 3% by volume of ethyl acetate in hexanes to yield 510 milligrams HC≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃)).

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃))

In a glass reaction vessel, 1.31 grams (3.9 mmol) HC≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃)) prepared in Step 2, was dissolved in 20 milliliters THF and cooled to −78° C. To this stirred solution was dropwise added a solution of 2.8 milliliters n-butyl lithium (1.6 molar solution in hexanes). This solution was added via cannula to a −15° C. solution 7 milliliters of HMPA and 1.02 grams (4.10 mmol) 1-Bromododecane in 25 milliliters THF. The resulting mixture was worked up using heptane and brine. The heptane layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. This material was purified using column chromatography eluting with 10% by volume of dichloromethane in hexanes to yield 680 milligrams CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃)).

Step 4: Preparation of Compound 1A: CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NH₃Cl

In a glass reaction vessel, 650 milligrams (1.3 mmol) CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃)) was dissolved in 6.5 milliliters THF. To this stirred solution was added 2.0 milliliters TBAF (1 molar solution in THF). After 1 h of stirring, the reaction mixture was filtered and concentrated to 520 milligrams of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OH which was used without further purification. In a glass reaction vessel, the CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OH was dissolved in 6.5 milliliters CH₂Cl₂ and 150 μL (2.0 mmol) methanesulfonyl chloride and 360 μL (2.6 mmol) triethyl amine were added. The reaction was stirred for 2 h and worked up using CH₂Cl₂ and brine. The CH₂Cl₂ layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated to 680 milligrams of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OS(O₂)CH₃ which was used without further purification. In a glass reaction vessel, the CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OS(O₂)CH₃ was dissolved in 6.5 milliliters DMF and 570 milligrams (8.8 mmol) sodium azide was added. The reaction was stirred for 20 h and worked up using pentane and brine. The pentane layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. This material was purified using column chromatography eluting with 9% dichloromethane in hexanes to yield 260 milligrams of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁N₃. In a glass reaction vessel, the CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁N₃ was dissolved in 10 milliliters THF and 0.5 milliliters water and 330 milligrams (1.3 mmol) triphenyl phosphine was added. After 20 h of stirring, hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled through the mixture for 30 seconds. The resulting solid was filtered and washed with diethyl ether to yield 190 milligrams CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NH₃Cl.

Step 5: Preparation of Compound 1B: CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NMe₃I

In a glass reaction vessel, 55 milligrams (0.13 mmol) CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NH₃Cl was dissolved in 5 milliliters acetonitrile and 100 μL(1.6 mmol) methyl iodide and 170 milligrams (1.6 mmol) sodium carbonate. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 h and filtered to yield 65 milligrams CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NMe₃I.

Step 6: Preparation of Compound 1C: CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NMe₃Cl

A sample of Compound 1B was converted to Compound 1C by passing it through a Dowex anion exchange resin with sodium chloride solution.

Example 2

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NR₃X

Step 1: Preparation of Br(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃))

The same procedure described in Example 1 Step 1 was followed.

Step 2: Preparation of HC≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃))

The same procedure described in Example 1 Step 2 was followed.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁OSi(Me₂(CMe₃))

The same procedure described in Example 1 Step 3 was followed with the exception that 1-Bromohexadecane was used instead of 1-Bromododecane.

Step 4: Preparation of Compound 2A: CH₃(CH₂)₁₄CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NH₃Cl

The same procedure described in Example 1 Step 4 was followed.

Step 5: Preparation of Compound 2B: CH₃(CH₂)₁₄CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NMe₃I

The same procedure described in Example 1 Step 5 was followed.

Step 6: Preparation of Compound 2C: CH₃(CH₂₎ ₁₄CH₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₁₁NMe₃Cl

The same procedure described in Example 1 Step 6 was followed.

Example 3

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

Step 1: Preparation of HOCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OH

Oxidative coupling of 3-Propyn-1-ol (HOCH₂C≡CH) was carried out in a glass reaction vessel by dissolving 122 grams (2.26 mol) 2-Propyn-1-ol in 70 milliliters pyridine and adding 11.1 grams (112 mmol) CuCl followed by the addition of 220 milliliters methyl alcohol. The reaction was stirred for 48 h in the presence of oxygen. The reaction was worked up using concentrated HCl and ethyl acetate, The ethyl acetate layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to yield 61 grams HOCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OH.

Step 2: Preparation of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl

In a glass reaction vessel, 10.6 grams (40 mmol) of 11-Bromoundecanoic acid was dissolved in 225 milliliters DMF and 26 grams (400 mmol) sodium azide was added. The resulting stirred mixture was heated to 80° C. for 16 h, and then the reaction mixture was worked up with ether and brine. The ether layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated to 9.5 grams of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OH as a pale yellow oil which was used without purification. In a glass reaction vessel, the N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OH was dissolved in 120 milliliters benzene and 12.7 grams (100 mmol) oxalyl chloride was added. The reaction was allowed to stir for 20 h, at which time the volatiles were removed in vacuo. The resulting residue was dissolved in pentane and filtered in a nitrogen atmosphere to remove solids. Concentration of the filtrate afforded N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl as a clear, yellow oil.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

In a glass reaction vessel, 400 milligrams (3.75 mmol) HOCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OH prepared in Step 1, was dissolved in a mixture of 25 milliliters THF and 1 milliliters pyridine. To this stirred solution was added 1.0 gram (4.1 mmol) N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl prepared in Step 2, and 950 μL (4.1 mmol) CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl. The resulting mixture was stirred for 3 h, concentrated, dissolved into hexanes and filtered to remove the salts. The filtrate was concentrated and purified using column chromatography eluting with 10% by volume of ethyl acetate in hexanes to yield 750 milligrams CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀N₃. In a glass reaction vessel, 280 milligrams (0.56 mmol) CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀N₃ was dissolved in 1 milliliters water and 8 milliliters THF. To this solution, 350 milligrams (1.3 mmol) triphenylphosphine was added. After 20 h of stirring, hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled through the mixture for 30 seconds. The resulting solid was filtered and washed with diethyl ether to yield 150 milligrams CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)OCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl.

Example 4

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)O(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH (also commercially available as 4,6- decadecadiyn-1,10-diol from GFS; Powell, Ohio)

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 1, except that 4-Pentyn-1-ol (HO(CH₂)₃C≡CH) was used instead of 2-Propyn-1-ol.

Step 2: Preparation of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 2.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)O(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 3 except that HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH (prepared in Step 1) was used instead of HOCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OH.

Example 5

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH (Also commercially available from GFS Chemicals; Powell, Ohio as 5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol).

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 1, except that 5-Hexyn-1-ol (HO(CH₂)₄C≡CH) was used instead of 3-Propyn-1-ol.

Step 2: Preparation of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 2.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 3 except that HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH (prepared in Step 1) was used instead of HOCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OH.

Example 6

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)OCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

Step 1: Preparation of HOCH₂C≡C—C≡CCH₂OH

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 1.

Step 2: Preparation of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 2.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 3 except that Hexadecanyl chloride was used instead of Dodecanyl chloride.

Example 7

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)O(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH

The same procedure was followed as for Example 4 Step 1.

Step 2: Preparation of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 2.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)O(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 4 Step 3 except that Hexadecanyl chloride was used instead of Dodecanyl chloride.

Example 8

Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH

The same procedure was followed as for Example 5 Step 1.

Step 2: Preparation of N₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 3 Step 2.

Step 3: Preparation of CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OC(O)(CH₂)₁₀NH₃Cl

The same procedure was followed as for Example 5 Step 3 except that Hexadecanyl chloride was used instead of Dodecanyl chloride.

Example 9

Samples of 1.0 milliMolar concentration solutions of Compounds 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C in water were prepared in glass vessels, heated in a 70° C. oven for 30 minutes, bath sonicated in a Bronson Model #1510 bath sonicator (commercially available from VWR Scientific Products; West Chester, Pa.) for 30 minutes, filtered through a 0.45 micrometer syringe filter and placed in a 4° C. refrigerator for about 16 hours. The solutions were removed from the refrigerator and polymerized by stirring while irradiating beneath a 254 nanometer wavelength UV lamp (commercially available from VWR Scientific Products; West Chester, Pa.) at a distance of 3 centimeters for 10 minutes. Whether polymerization occurred upon irradiation and the presence or absence of a color change is noted in Table 1. The samples in which polymerization occurred and a color change was observed were heated to 70° C. for 15 seconds. The resulting color change is noted in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Color of Color of polymerized Example Did polymerization polymerized solution after Compound occur? solution heating to 70° C. 1A Yes Blue Red 1B Yes Purple Red 1C No NA NA 2A Yes Blue Red 2B Yes Purple Red 2C No NA NA NA = Not applicable

Example 10

Samples of 1.0 milliMolar concentration solutions of the compounds prepared in Examples 3-8 in water were prepared in glass vessels, heated in a 70° C. oven for 30 minutes and placed in a 4° C. refrigerator for about 16 hours. The solutions were removed from the refrigerator and polymerized by stirring while irradiating beneath a 254 nanometer wavelength UV lamp (commercially available from VWR Scientific Products; West Chester, Pa.) at a distance of 3 centimeters for 10 minutes. The color change observed upon polymerization is noted in Table 2. The samples were heated to 70° C. for 15 seconds and the resulting color change is noted in Table 2. A third color transition was produced by heating the solutions to 90° C., and this color transition, if present is also noted in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Color of Color of polymerized Compound Example polymerized solution after Third transition Number solution heating to 70° C. color 3 Yellow Orange NA 6 Yellow Orange NA 4 Purple Orange Yellow 7 Purple Orange Yellow 5 Blue Red Orange 8 Blue Red Orange NA = Not applicable

Example 11

Samples of 1.0 milliMolar concentration solutions of Compound 2B prepared in Example 2 in water were prepared in a glass vessels, heated in a 70° C. oven for 30 minutes, bath sonicated in a Bronson Model #1510 bath sonicator (commercially available from VWR Scicntific Products; West Chester, Pa.) for 30 minutes, filtered through a 0.45 micrometer syringe filter and placed in a 4° C. refrigerator for about 16 hours. The solutions were removed from the refrigerator and polymerized by stirring while irradiating beneath a 254 nanometer wavelength UV lamp at a distance of 3 centimeters for 10 minutes. Salts containing other anions were added to the solutions. The presence or absence of an observed color change is recorded in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Anion Color Change Observed? Cl⁻ Yes Br⁻ Yes CO₃ ²⁻ Yes SO₄ ²⁻ Yes N₃ ⁻ Yes I⁻ No

Example 12

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃

In a glass reaction vessel, 600 milligrams of 5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12 -diol (HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH), 0.275 milliliters of pyridine and 10 milliliters of THF were mixed. To this solution was added 676 milligrams of lauroyl chloride and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 hours. The mixture was then diluted with diethyl ether and washed with 0.1 N HCl and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was removed to yield a white solid. The solid was purified over silica gel (gradient from 25% to 50% ethyl acetate in hexanes by volume) to yield 570 milligrams of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃ as a white solid.

Step 2: Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃

In a glass reaction vessel, 377 milligrams of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃ prepared in Step 1 was dissolved in 3 milliliters of DMF and 1.32 grams of PDC was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 8 hours, and then worked up with water and diethyl ether. The combined ether layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was removed to yield a white solid. The solid was purified over silica gel eluting with 25/74/1 of ethyl acetate/hexanes/formic acid by volume to yield 0.21 grams of HO(O)C(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃ as a white solid.

Examples 13-16

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)_(a-l)C≡C—C≡(CH₂)_(a)O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 12 was followed using the diol and acid chloride in Step 1 shown in Table 4 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)_(a-1)C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)_(a)O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃ (a and b are defined in Table 4).

TABLE 4 Example Diol, a value Acid Chloride, b value 13 HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, a = 3 b = 14 14 HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, a = 4 b = 12 15 HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, a = 4 b = 14 16 HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, a = 4 b = 16

Example 17

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃

In a glass reaction vessel, 4.99 grams of 5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol (HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH), 2.2. grams of pyridine and 50 milliliters of THF were mixed. To this solution was added 6.34 grams of myristol chloride and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 hours. The mixture was then diluted with diethyl ether and washed with 0.1 N HCl and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was removed to yield a white solid. The solid was purified over silica gel (15% by volume of ethyl acetate in dichloromethane to 100% ethyl acetate gradient) to yield 5.0 grams of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃ as a white solid.

Step 2: Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃

In a sealable tube, 1.41 grams of HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃ prepared in Step 1, 0.435 grams of succinic anhydride, 13 milliliters of toluene and 0.106 grams of DMAP were combined and the tube was sealed. The mixture was heated to 105° C. for 14.5 hours, the reaction was cooled to room temperature, 0.15 milliliters of water was added, the tube was resealed and again heated to 105° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture was then diluted with diethyl ether and washed with 0.1 N HCl and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was removed to yield a white solid. The solid was purified over silica gel eluting with 10/89/1 of ethyl acetate/dichloromethane/formic acid by volume to yield 1.70 grams of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃ as a white solid.

Examples 18-28

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)_(a)C≡C—C≡(CH₂)_(a)O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 17 was followed using the diol and acid chloride in Step 1 shown in Table 5 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)_(a)C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)_(a)O(O)C(CH₂₎ _(b)CH₃(a and b are defined in Table 5).

TABLE 5 Example Diol, a value Acid Chloride, b value 18 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl, a = 2 b = 10 19 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, a = 2 b = 12 20 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, a = 2 b = 14 21 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, a = 2 b = 16 22 HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl, a = 3 b = 10 23 HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, a = 3 b = 12 24 HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, a = 3 b = 14 25 HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, a = 3 b = 16 26 HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl, a = 4 b = 10 27 HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, a = 4 b = 14 28 HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH, CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, a = 4 b = 16

Example 29

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅OH

HO(CH₂)₅C≡CH was prepared by the KAPA-promoted isomerization of HOCH₂C≡C(CH₂)₃CH₃ (prepared according to Millar, J.G.; Oehlschlager, A. C. J. Org. Chem. 1984,49, 2332-2338) or HO(CH₂)₂C≡C(CH₂)₂CH₃ (commercially available from GFS Chemicals; Powell, Ohio). Oxidative coupling of HO(CH₂)₅C≡CH was carried out in a glass reaction vessel by dissolving 6.95 grams of HO(CH₂)₅C≡CH in pyridine/methanol (2.0 milliliters/6.2 milliliters) and adding 307 grams of CuCl followed by stirring in the presence of oxygen until all the staring material was consumed. The reaction mixture was worked up with diethyl ether and 4N HCl, the combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. Recrystallization of the residue from 1/1 hexanes/tert-butyl methyl ether to yield 5.35 grams of HO(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅OH as a pink solid.

Step 2: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 17 Step 1 was followed except that instead of 5,7-dodecadiyn- 1,12-diol the diol prepared in Step 1 above was used.

Step 3: Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅O(O)C(CH₂)₁₀CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 17 Step 2 was followed.

Examples 30-32

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 29 was followed using the diol and acid chloride in Step 2 shown in Table 6 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃ (b is defined in Table 6).

TABLE 6 Example Diol Acid Chloride, b value 30 HO(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, b = 12 31 HO(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, b = 14 32 HO(CH₂)₅C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₅OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, b = 16

Examples 33-36

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 29 Step 1 was followed to prepare the diol HO(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆OH starting from 1-heptyne. The remaining procedure for Example 29 was followed using the diol and acid chloride in Step 2 shown in Table 7 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃ (b is defined in Table 7).

TABLE 7 Example Diol Acid Chloride, b value 33 HO(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl, b = 10 34 HO(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, b = 12 35 HO(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, b = 14 36 HO(CH₂)₆C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₆OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, b = 16

Examples 37-39

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₇C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₇O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 29 Step 1 was followed to prepare the diol HO(CH₂)₇C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₇OH staring from 1-octyne. The remaining procedure for Example 29 was followed using the diol and acid chloride in Step 2 shown in Table 8 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₇C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₇O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃ (b is defined in Table 8).

TABLE 8 Example Diol Acid Chloride 37 HO(CH₂)₇C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₇OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl, b = 10 38 HO(CH₂)₇C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₇OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, b = 12 39 HO(CH₂)₇C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₇OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, b = 16

Examples 40-43

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 29 Step 1 was followed to prepare the diol HO(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉OH starting from 1-decyne. The remaining procedure for Example 29 was followed using the diol and acid chloride in Step 2 shown in Table 9 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉O(O)C(CH₂)_(b)CH₃ (b is defined in Table 9).

TABLE 9 Example Diol Acid Chloride, b value 40 HO(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₀C(O)Cl, b = 10 41 HO(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl, b = 12 42 HO(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl, b = 14 43 HO(CH₂)₉C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₉OH CH₃(CH₂)₁₆C(O)Cl, b = 16

Example 44

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₃C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 17 was followed except that in Step 2 glutaric anhydride was used in place of succinic anhydride.

Example 45

Preparation of HO(O)CHC═CHC(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₄CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 17 was followed except that in Step 1 CH₃(CH₂)₁₄C(O)Cl was used instead of CH₃(CH₂)₁₂C(O)Cl and in Step 2 maleic anhydride was used in place of succinic anhydride.

Example 46

Preparation of HO(O)C(1,2-C₆H₄)C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(O)C(CH₂)₁₂CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 17 was followed except that in Step 2 phthalic anhydride was used in place of succinic anhydride.

Example 47

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(CH₂)₁₁CH₃

Step 1: Preparation of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(CH₂)₁₁CH₃

In a glass reaction vessel, a suspension of 120 milligrams of sodium hydride was prepared in 10 milliliters dry DMF and 972 milligrams of 5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol (HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄OH), was added. After stirring for 5 minutes 1.31 grams of CH₃(CH₂)₁₁Br was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 hours. The mixture was then quenched by addition of saturated NH₄Cl solution and diluted with 100 milliliters of diethyl ether. The organic layer was separated and washed 3 times with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was removed to yield a yellow oil. The oil was purified over silica gel (25%-35% by volume of ethyl acetate in hexanes gradient) to yield 606 milligrams of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ as a white solid.

Step 2: Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(CH₂)₁₁CH₃

In a sealable tube, 181 milligrams of HO(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ prepared in Step 1, 63 milligrams of succinic anhydride, 2 milliliters of toluene and 15 milligrams of DMAP were combined and the tube was sealed. The mixture was heated to 100° C. for 16 hours, the reaction was cooled to room temperature, 3 drops of water was added, the tube was resealed and again heated to 110° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture was then diluted with diethyl ether and washed with 0.1 N HCl and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and solvent was removed to yield a white solid. The solid was purified over silica gel eluting with 10/89/1 of ethyl acetate/dichloromethane/formic acid by volume to yield HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)₄C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₄O(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ as a white solid.

Examples 48-52

Preparation of HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)_(a)C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)_(a)O(CH₂)_(b) CH₃

The same procedure described in Example 47 was followed using the diol and alkyl bromide in Step 1 shown in Table 10 to give the compounds with the general structure HO(O)C(CH₂)₂C(O)O(CH₂)_(a)C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)_(a)O(CH₂)_(b)CH₃ (a and b are defined in Table 10).

TABLE 10 Alkyl Chloride, Example Diol, a value b value 48 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)_(b)Br, a = 4 b = 13 49 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)_(b)Br, a = 4 b = 15 50 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)_(b)Br, a = 4 b = 17 51 HO(CH₂)₂C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₂OH, CH₃(CH₂)_(b)Br, a = 5 b = 11 52 HO(CH₂)₃C≡C—C≡C(CH₂)₃OH, CH₃(CH₂)_(b)Br, a = 5 b = 13

Example 53

A sample of 10.1 milligrams of the compound prepared in Example 17 was placed in a glass vessel and suspended in 5 milliliters of isopropanol. The mixture was heated to boiling and 10 milliliters of 70° C. water was added. The resulting solution was boiled until the temperature reached 95° C. indicating the nearly all of the isopropanol had boiled off. The solution was cooled to room temperature and then to 4° C. for 16 hours. A 2 milliliter aliquot of the solution was exposed 254 nanometer light for 10 minutes, producing a dark blue color indicative that polymerization had occurred. 

1. A compound of the formula

wherein R¹ is

R³, R⁸, R¹³, R²⁴, R³¹, and R³³ are independently C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R¹⁴, R¹⁶, R¹⁹, R²², R²⁵, and R³² are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkylene; R⁶, R¹⁵, and R¹⁸ are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, or C₂-C₈ alkenylene, or C₆-C₁₃ arylene; R²⁶ is C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, or C₂-C₈ alkenylene, R⁹ is C₁-C₁₄ alkylene or; R¹⁰, R¹², R²⁷, and R²⁹ are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkylene or (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)-(C₂-C₈ arylene); R¹¹ and R²⁸ are independently C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl; R¹⁷ is an ester activating group; R²³ is C₆-C₁₃ arylene; R³⁰ is C₁-C₁₄ alkylene; R³⁴, and R³⁶ are independently H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; p is 1-5; n is 1-20; and wherein R¹ and R² are not the same.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is dodecyl or hexadecyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ is undecyl or pentadecyl.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R²⁴ is methyl ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or dodecyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³³ is dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, or octadecyl.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is methylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁵ is ethylene or trimethylene.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁷, R¹⁶, R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²⁵ are independently ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein R²⁰ is methylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene.
 10. The compound of claim 1, wherein R²² is ethylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³² is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, or hexamethylene.
 12. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁶, R¹⁵, R¹⁸, and R²⁶ are independently ethylene, trimethylene, ethenylene, or phenylene.
 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁸ and R³¹ are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkyl.
 14. The compound of claim 13, wherein R⁸ and R³¹ are independently butyl, pentyl or hexyl.
 15. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹⁰, R¹², R²⁷, and R²⁹ are independently methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—, or —CH₂—phenylene.
 16. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹¹ and R²⁸ are independently C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl having at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds.
 17. The compound of claim 16, wherein R¹¹ and R²⁸ are independently —(CH₂)₈—C≡C—C≡C—(CH₂)₉CH₃, or —(CH₂)₈—C≡C—C≡C—(CH₂)₁₁CH₃.
 18. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹³ is C₁-C₄ alkyl.
 19. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹⁴ is C₁-C₄ alkylene.
 20. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹⁷ is 2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl.
 21. The compound of claim 1, wherein R²³ is phenylene.
 22. The compound of claim 1, wherein n is 1-20, 3-17, 6-14, or 9-11.
 23. The compound of claim 1, wherein p is 1 or
 2. 24. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is

wherein R⁷ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene , and R⁶ is ethylene, trimethylene, ethenylene, or phenylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²² is ethylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene, R²³ is phenylene, and R²⁴ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or dodecyl; and wherein p is
 1. 25. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is

wherein R⁷ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene, and R⁶ is ethylene, trimethylene, ethenylene, or phenylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R³² is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, or hexamethylene and R³³ is dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, or octadecyl; and wherein p is
 1. 26. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is

wherein R⁸ is butyl, pentyl or hexyl, R⁹ is methylene, —NH—, —N(CH₂CH₃)—, or —N(CH₃)—, and R¹⁰ is methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—, or —CH₂—phenylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁹ is butyl, pentyl or hexyl, R³⁰ is methylene, —NH—, —N(CH₂CH₃)—, or —N(CH₃)—, and R³¹ is methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—, or —CH₂—phenylene; and wherein p is
 1. 27. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is

wherein R¹¹ is C₁-C₂₀ alkynyl having at least two carbon—carbon triple bonds, and R¹² is methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—or —CH₂—phenylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁷ is methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH((CH₂)₁₋₄CH₃)—, or —CH₂—phenylene, and R²⁸ is C₁-C₂₀ alkynyl having at least two carbon—carbon triple bonds; and wherein p is
 1. 28. A compound of the formula

wherein R¹ is

R² is

R³, R⁸, R¹³, R²⁴, R³¹ and R³³ are independently C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R⁴, R⁷, R¹⁴, R¹⁶, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²², R²⁵, and R³² are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkylene; R⁶, R¹⁵, and R¹⁸ are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, or C₂-C₈ alkenylene, or C₆-C₁₃ arylene; R²⁶ is C₁-C₁₄ alkylene, or C₂-C₈ alkenylene, R⁹ is C₁-C₁₄ alkylene; R¹⁰, R¹², R²⁷, and R²⁹ are independently C₁-C₁₄ alkylene or (C₁-C₁₄ alkylene)−(C₂-C₈ arylene; R¹¹ and R²⁸ are independently C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl; R¹⁷ is an ester activating group; R²¹ is C₁-C₂₀ alkylamino or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R²³ is C₆-C₁₃ arylene; R³⁰ is C₁-C₁₄ alkylene; R³⁴, and R³⁶ are independently H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; p is 1-5; n is 1-20; and wherein R¹ and R² are not the same.
 29. The compound of claim 28, wherein R² is (C₇-C₁₈ alkyl)—NR³⁵ ₃X, wherein R³⁵ is H and each X is independently F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, N₃ ⁻, or CN⁻.
 30. The compound of claim 29, wherein R² is —(CH₂)₁₁—NH₃X, —(CH₂)₁₁—N(CH₃)₃X, —(CH₂)₁₅—N(CH₃)₃X, or —(CH₂)₁₅—NH₃X, wherein each X is independently Cl⁻, or I⁻.
 31. The compound of claim 28, wherein R²¹ is (C₁-C₁₈ alkyl)—NR³⁵ ₃X, wherein R³⁵ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl and each X is independently F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, N₃ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, or CN⁻.
 32. The compound of claim 28, wherein R² is (C₁-C₁₈ alkyl)—NR³⁵ ₃X, wherein R³⁵ is C₁-C₄ alkyl and each X is independently F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, N₃ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, or CN⁻.
 33. The compound of claim 28, wherein R²¹ is decyl, undecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, heptadecyl, —(CH₂)₁₀—NH₃X, —(CH₂)₁₀—N(CH₃)₃X, —(CH₂)₁₄—N(CH₃)₃X, or —(CH₂)₁₄—NH₃X, wherein X is independently Cl⁻ or I⁻.
 34. The compound of claim 28, wherein R¹ is

wherein R³ is undecyl or pentadecyl, and R⁴ is methylene, ethylene, or tetramethylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁰ is methylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene, and R²¹ is —(CH₂)₁₀—NH₃X, —(CH₂)₁₀—N(CH₃)₃X, —(CH₂)₁₄—N(CH₃)₃X, or —(CH₂)₁₄—NH₃X, wherein X is independently Cl⁻ or I⁻; and wherein p is
 1. 35. The compound of claim 28 wherein R¹ is

wherein R⁵ is ethylene or trimethylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁰ is trimethylene or tetramethylene, and R²¹ is undecyl, tridecyl, pentadecyl, or heptadecyl; and wherein p is
 1. 36. The compound of claim 28 wherein R¹ is

wherein R⁷ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene, and R⁶ is ethylene, trimethylene, ethenylene, or phenylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁰ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene, and wherein R²¹ is undecyl, tridecyl, pentadecyl, heptadecyl; and wherein p is
 1. 37. The compound of claim 28 wherein R¹ is

wherein R¹⁶ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene, R¹⁵ is ethylene, trimethylene, ethenylene, or phenylene, R¹⁴ is ethylene, R¹³ is methyl; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁰ is methylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene, and R²¹ is tridecyl; and wherein p is 1 and n is 9-11.
 38. The compound of claim 28, wherein R¹ is

wherein R¹⁷ is 2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl, R¹⁸ is ethylene, trimethylene, ethenylene, or phenylene R¹⁹ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, or nonamethylene; and wherein R² is

wherein R²⁰ is methylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene, and R²¹ is tridecyl; and wherein p is
 1. 